AP Lit Homework Homework 9/23-24

9/21/2017

image via Teach For America

Dear AP Litters:

On Monday, we will have an incredible opportunity to Skype with Clint Smith, spoken-poetry champion, author of Counting Descent, doctoral candidate at Harvard, new father, and all around awesome human.

I am beyond excited. You should be, too. What I've found is there are so many artists and writers out there who are generous and kind and willing to help you grow as young people and thinkers.

To prepare for our chat, please submit in the comments below at least TWO potential questions for our Skype session. I'll sort through them and tag the question askers via Remind and then first thing Monday afternoon.

Otherwise, you've got some Slaughterhouse Five reading and Thought Plots to take care of. And I recommend you also find something to do that makes you happy -- take a walk, cook a meal, go visit a grandparent or family member, spend some time alone, pick a pumpkin -- follow your bliss. I know I will be. ;-)

All the best, guys, and keep thinking, exploring, and working hard.

Mrs. H

P.S. Make sure to follow #aplit18 on Twitter. I'm tweeting contemporary poems that would be good fodder for your next blog post coming up in. October.

24 Comments

Ashton Dill

9/23/2017 11:49:50 am

What would you consider to be the most important literary work or poetry collection for an AP lit class to study?

9/23/2017 11:51:06 am

Did you have an inspiring moment or an event that pushed you to put together this collection?

Sarah Robertson

9/23/2017 03:40:00 pm

Have you ever received hate for your work about the topics itself? (if so, what?)

Are any of your poems made unintentionally during a stage of writers' block?

Ally Masterson

9/24/2017 02:33:35 pm

Does writing come easily to you or do you struggle with it?

Is it hard for you to tell your truths in your work?

Dorian Oliver

9/24/2017 02:56:48 pm

When writing each poem did it take you back or make of reminiscing moments?

The content in history class that you learned of black beings past did they perhaps spark ideas for what the ____ said to the black boy poems?

Sydney Butler

9/24/2017 06:12:18 pm

Do you have a specific poem you like the most or are most proud of?

Is there some specific meaning or thought you would like us to take away from or pay more attention to in any of your poems?

Annalyse Friday

9/24/2017 06:16:10 pm

When you had the idea to write this collection, did you have the courage to do it? If not, who helped you decide to write it?

Which poem was the hardest to write? Why?

Amanda keplinger

9/24/2017 06:54:56 pm

Which of your poems that you've written brings back some favorite memories?

If you could meet any poet, dead or alive, who would it be?

Jillian Cheek

9/24/2017 07:08:38 pm

Is there anything you regret or would change about the poems in "Counting Descent" if you had the opportunity to do it again?

Is there another poem or collection of poems that you are eager to write and tell your truths about? If so, what topics or issues do they pertain to?

Mr. Matthew Johnson

9/24/2017 07:14:43 pm

Numerous articles and blogs mention "Counting Descent" as a literary soundtrack for the Black Lives Matter movement. Being that "Counting Descent" was published in 2016, when the "BLM Movement" was making such large strides, would you say that that was a major factor in why you decided to publish "Counting Descent" when you did? If not, what was?

Which poem in this collection are you most proud of and why?

How was "Page Meets Stage"?

Ashli-Ann Ha

9/24/2017 07:22:40 pm

Did you struggle finding your voice as a poet when you first started out?

Were you afraid to speak of your experiences, or did you feel like your perspective was something that was needed in the literary world?

Grace King

9/24/2017 07:42:31 pm

What inspired you to start writing poetry?

There are several ways to interpret your poem "Canon". I was wondering what the original meaning/interpretation behind the poem was when you first wrote the it.

Jillian Linton

9/24/2017 08:24:35 pm

1. Are all of your poems about your own personal experiences.?
2. How has Counting Descents changed your life?

Zachary Hammersla

9/24/2017 09:10:51 pm

1. The poem "Playground Elegy" looks like it was arranged in the shape of the State of Missouri. Was that your intent?

2. What did you intend "It Is Early December in Cambridge" to be shaped like? It looks like a sideways bridge to me, which is somewhat supported by the content, but I feel like that's a bit too obvious.

Corrina

9/24/2017 09:16:35 pm

Is there any significance to the order in which your poems come in this collection? (If so, why?)

Do your simpler poems like, "When Maze and Frankie Beverly Come on in My House," and " Today I Bought A Book For You," connect with the epigraph you used to open your collection? (If so, how?)

Cecil Keel III link

9/24/2017 09:39:41 pm

Why did you choose "Counting Descent" as the title poem?

9/24/2017 09:41:18 pm

How well do you feel these poems represent you?

Katie Grabill

9/24/2017 11:50:37 pm

How long did it take you to write this book?

Was there a poem you would consider to have been the hardest to write (due to emotion or just finding the right words)?

Sierra Hoffman

9/25/2017 08:26:45 am

1) Did you have any runner-ups for the title?
2) If you didn’t become a poet, what do you think you’d be doing now?

Amber Wilt

9/25/2017 09:33:03 am

1). What really pushed you to advocate for such a strong subject in the form of poetry?
2). Is being a renowned poet and a speaker for civil rights ever what you imagined to be?

Madison Brock

9/25/2017 09:45:07 am

What poem from your collection do you feel connects with your audience the most?

How did you find your voice?

Jacob Hardy link

9/25/2017 11:00:11 am

What was your intentions for "Canon"?

Was this poem meant for a specific audience or was it meant for a cryptic feel?

Vicki Baker

9/25/2017 11:02:40 am

What was it that inspired you to write this book?

When did you decide it was time to stand up and put your thoughts out on the line? What motivated you to chose the poems you chose?

Nathan Sparks

9/25/2017 11:19:52 am

What was your number one inspiration for your poetry?

In your mind now, where do you stand on the black lives matter movement and the protests going on around the country?

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AP Lit Homework Homework 9/23-24

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